Lily Panych did not know anything about the Pongala. But this New Yorker from Queens walked from Kowdiar to the Attukal temple on Pongala day to see a few lakh women congregate in the city in an expression of devotion.
Lily who wanted to see the festival before she flew back home on Sunday said it was interesting to see so many women come together, especially against the backdrop of International Women’s Day a few days ago. “The festival is chaotic, but also kind of calm. Everyone here is here for a purpose.”
Lily who doesn’t define her religion says she respects people coming together as a cohesive unit to celebrate and to worship though she may not identify with it. “I have not have felt it in own life but when someone feels strongly in their faith, whatever they believe in, be it religion or other values, it is very honourable.”
Lily who has been travelling from the north of the State to the south says she found Kerala interesting as Christianity, Hinduism, and Islam coexist here peacefully.
“It is a good lesson for back home, especially during recent times,” she says.
An urban farmer, Lily has seen small-scale agriculture and business industry in south India in the past two months, which doesn’t exist in America anymore.
